James Nyoraku Schlefer
is a leading performer and teacher of shakuhachi in New York City. In
addition to performing and lecturing on traditional Japanese shakuhachi
music, Schlefer performs modern music for the instrument and is an active
composer. He has appeared at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Tanglewood,
the Metropolitan, Brooklyn and Philadelphia Museums, & the Joyce Theater.
Schlefer has three solo recordings, Wind Heart (which was aboard the Space
Station MIR for over one year) Solstice Spirit, and Flare Up , and his
music was featured on NPR's All Things Considered. He received the Dai-Shi-Han
(Grand Master) certificate from Ronnie Seldin, and he has worked with
Aoki Reibo, Yokoyama Katsuya, Yoshio Kurahashi, Yoshinobu Tanighcui, and
Mitsuhashi Kifu among others. Mr. Schlefer holds a Master's degree in
flute & musicology from Queens College and teaches college courses in
Classical Music, World Music and Jazz. For more information, his
website